Data retrieval recorder

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a novel recorder and recording system described as applied to recording data from a source such as a gas chromatograph. Normal recording of the data in such an illustrative application is accomplished using a conventional strip chart recorder having a constant feed rate of &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;X&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; inches per minute. In this disclosure a recorder is used having a record card of predetermined coordinate height and length, representing time, and signal amplitude. This recorder is equipped with a variable time scale adjustment wherein data of practically any time duration may be placed within the predetermined time coordinate length. Mechanical search and retrieval indicia representative of the recorded data is placed on the recorder record card for ready retrieval from a file collection of such cards at any later time.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Donald N. Campbell; OTHER REFERENCESMiles Schwartz; Kennelh Konrad of Bulletin 739-A; Beckman IR-7Prism-Grating infrared Lewisburg, W. Va. Spectrophotometer: BeckmanInstruments. lnc.: May 1959: [21] Appl. No. 769,352 30 pp 1 Filed 1968Bulletin 714-A; Beckman lR-4; Beckman Instruments, Inc.; [45] PatentedJuly 21,1971 June 1959; 21 pp. 1 g The Bendix P"' Zitnik et all; Designof a Centralized Electrocardiographic and Vectorcardiographic System;The American Journal of DATA RETRIEVAL RECORDER Cardiology; Vol. 19;June1967; pp. 818- 826 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs. Primary Examiner-Richard B.Wilkinson 52 1 Us. Cl. 3 15/30, gfgggand Flame and 346/44, 346/134 [51]Int.Cl G0ld 9/26 [50] Field 0! Search 346/44, 65, 66, 29, 30, 134, l;235/6112, 61.6 A; 73/23.l;

129/161 ABSTRACT: There is disclosed a novel recorder and recordingsystem described as applied to recording data from a [56] ReferencesCited source such as a gas chromatograph, Normal recording of the UNITEDSTATES PATENTS data in such an illustrative application is accomplishedusing a ,808 4/ 1949 Canada 346/29 X conventional strip chart recorderhaving a constant feed rate 2,739,030 3/ 1956 Kruse 346/76 of X" inchesper minute. In this disclosure a recorder is used 2,750,575 6/ 1956 Dotyet a]. 346/66 UX having a record card of predetermined coordinate heightand 3,019,072 1/1962 Bose et al. 346/29 length, representing time, andsignal amplitude, This recorder 3,182,331 5/1965 Marshall... 346/1 isequipped with a variable time scale adjustment wherein data 3,315,5624/1967 Sauer et a1. 355/2 X of practically any time duration may beplaced within the 3,380,065 4/1968 lpert fll- 346/29 predetermined timecoordinate length. Mechanical search and 2,381,188 8/1945 Swindle.....346/134 X retrieval indicia representative of the recorded data isplaced 3,363,260 1/1968 Garbe 346/134 X on the recorder record card forready retrieval from a tile col- 3,518,696 6/1970 Tomota et a1 346/134 Xlection ofsuch cards at any later time.

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"32 4O 6O 88 I I J I TIME I\ N M SOURCE \/f l/ 76 78 PATENTEDJULZTIQZI3,596,280

SHEET 1 OF 2 SAMPLE INLET IIsvAc POWER SAMPLE vENT I F I 2OI=sIO AIRSUPPLY SAMPLE ROIIIIER 1 l VALVE SUPPLY 1 OvEN I HEATER COLUMN BRIDGERECORDER i I II5vAC POWER TEMPERATURE Oz I 1 CONTROLLER 2 I 6 CARRIERINLET I q I 4V DETECTOR CELL REFERENCE vENT COLUMN vENT' \EEI O 85 1 22OQOO'UOUOOOOOUOOOOOOU W I00 478 9O H 80 PC 70 Hg 3O 2O IN'L'IZNTORS IODONALD N.CAMPBELL MILES SCHWARTZ 0 y KENNETH K.KONRAD ATTORNEY SHEET 2OF 2 RETRIEVAL I I KEYSORT DATA | I I I J I5/ |5v 1N VENTURS DONALDNCAMPBELL MILES SCHWARTZ m KENNETH KAKONRAD FIG.5

ATTORNEY PATENTED JULZ 7 IIIYI TIME SOURCE 79 SIGNAL SOURCE DATARETRIEVAL RECORDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertainsto recorders and more particularly to a recording system providing forrecording data on retrievable recording surfaces having predeterminedcoordinate lengths which can be used independently or along withsimultaneous recording of the same data by conventional recording means.

Normal recording of chromatographic data, for example, is accomplishedusing a conventional strip chart recorder. As the resulting charts,called chromatograms, are recorded, long sheets of chart paper result.The storage, retrieval, and analysis of this information is a typicaland ditficult problem for the gas chromatograph user due to the bulk andlength of the resulting charts. These same problems exist in a wide areaof use, such as infrared, ultraviolet, spectrometry, and other forms ofspectroscopy, or virtually any strip chart recording system.

To our knowledge, at the present time there is no existing device thatsatisfactorily records data such as is normally recorded on a stripchart, such as a chromatogram, in a form suitable for filing andretrieval, other than conventional microfilm techniques, which areexpensive and involve the use of special equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION strip chart form. A source of input signals,which vary in amplitude in response to the variations in the factorsbeing measured, can be recorded on a standard strip chart recorder. Asecond recorder (which can be the sole recorder if simultaneous stripchart recording is not desired) is operable in response to the signalsfrom the aforementioned source and has a recording surface, such as atabulating machine record card of the IBM or McBee type, ofpredetermined coordinate lengths. The second recorder'has a controldevice to control the time scale coordinate so as to vary the time ittakes to move the recording pen relative to the recording surfacethrough the full available extent of the recording surface in the timecoordinate duration in a period of time corresponding to the selectedtime length of the analysis. As an example, if the strip chart recorderoperates at the rate of 1 inch per minute and the analysis time takesI20 minutes, the user would have 120 inches of chart paper depicting thecomplete spectrum of analysis. With the use of the second recorder andthe variable time scale, the recorder can be set so that it will take afull 120 minutes to complete the analysis, yet the 120 minutes will berecorded within the predetermined coordinate length on the card of, say6 inches. The amplitude will be recorded full scale and only the time orlength will be changed or compressed. By placing mechanical keysortsearch indicia on such record cards indicative of selectedcharacteristics of the recorded graphical data, cards can be readilyretrieved from files thereof for detailed examination. It can be seenthat the present invention will provide for the proportionateprereduction of data, graphic reproducible data, ready retrieval of thedata, ready visual comparison, elimination of bulk original charts andreadily available analysis data.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING An illustrative embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in the following drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a simplified flow diagram of a chromatographic system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of gas chromatograph and auxiliaryrecorder;

FIG. 3 is an example of a chromatogram taken from the auxiliaryrecorder;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram in block form of one embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. Sis a circuit diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention of thisapplication will be described with par ticular reference to gaschromatography, but is not to be restricted to that use'only.

A chromatograph unit consists typically of two major modules, commonlycalled an analyzer section and a control section.

The analyzer section comprises an oven and temperature control, flowadjustments, column pressure control and valveactuating toggles. Theoven containsa heater, thermal-conductivity detector cell, sample gasvalve (which provides a fixed volume of sample gas), liquidsampleinjection port (for injecting vaporizable liquid samples),column-switching valves, and ample space for three or more columns.Valves in the oven are actuated by compressed air controlled by theabove-mentioned toggles.

The control section includes a Wheatstone bridge, DC power supply,bridge voltmeter, recorder, and controls used with thethermal-conductivity cell.

Reference is made to FIG. 1 which shows the simplified flow diagram of agas chromatograph. By way of explanation, it is seen that a typical gaschromatograph first passes a known volume of sample gas (the gas orvapor to be analyzed) into a tubular packed column 2. The sample iscarried into the column by a constant flow of inert gas, called thecarrier gas; and in the column, the sample is removed from the carriergas by adsorption, absorption, or solution. As the flow of carrier gascontinues, the various components of the sample are eluted (released)from the column -one at a time; or grouped as desired, and eachcomponent or group mixed with carrier gas is carried through a detectorcell 4.

The most usual detector cell is a thermal-conductivity unit containingfour hot wire detector elements, arranged in two series of two elementseach. The flow from the column passes through one series of elements;and an equal flow of pure carrier gas passes through the other.The twopairs of detector elements are connected into opposite lengths of aWheatstone bridge diagrammatically shown as bridge 5, and the bridge ISbrought into balance with puree carrier gas flowing through both sidesof the detector.

When a sample component passes through the cell, the thermalconductivity in that side of the cell is no longer the same as it waswith purecarrier gas. This unbalances the Wheat stone bridge. The outputvoltage resulting from this unbalance actuates a recorder pen or stylus,which usually draws a continuous graph on a moving strip chart recorder6.

Thus, the instrument provides a pen-drawn record for each component ofthe sample mixture. The area bounded by the graph for each componentshows the quantity of that component; and the distance of eachcomponent's graph from the starting point (that is, the componentsretention time) serves to identify the component.

The column, detector cell, valves and connecting tubing are all held ata constant, elevated temperature inside an oven. The two gas streamsfrom the detector cell go out through exhaust lines.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gas chromatograph unit 8 currentlyproduced and sold by the Process Instruments Division of The BendixCorporation under the name Chroma- Lab 1060 and comprising thecomponents illustrated in FIG. ll. As previously described, the outputvoltage resulting from the unbalanced Wheatstone bridge actuates arecorder pen or stylus 10 which draws a continuous graph on thecontinuously moving chart paper 12 of recorder 6.

The control section of chromatograph unit 8 has coarse and fine zeroadjustment, dials 14 and 16, for balancing the detector bridge circuit5. When adjusted, the recorder pen 10 will be at zero when only carriergas is flowing through both sides of the detector cell 4. A signalreverse switch 18 is provided so that only positive eaks are provided onthe chart paper 12. The bridge voltage adjustment knob 20 selects thedesired bridge range, and bridge voltmeter 21 provides a visualindication of the bridge voltage. Power switch 22 turns on the power tothe control section. A recorder range multiplier 24 is also provided topermit the choice of signal amplitude ranges.

In the present invention a recorder 26 can be connected as the solerecorder responsive to the voltage signal changes or, as illustrated, itcan be interconnected by line 28 with a chromatograph unit 8 tosimultaneously produce a graphic chart or chromatogram on a recordingsurface or card 30 which is of the card type. "Card" or sheet" as usedherein means any recording medium having predetermined dimensions, asdistinguished from a continuous strip, adaptable to filing andmechanical sorting by tabulating machines, such as McBee" or IBM" typecards. These cards have predetermined coordinate lengths and the cardlengths are not varied. Recorder 26 is adapted to have record card 30mounted thereon in any conventional manner having means for precisealignment of the two coordinates. For instance, the recorder may haveguides in which the card fits or pegs may cooperate with correspondingholes or notches in the card. A hinged drop plate can also be providedfor use as a chart holddown device. The previously described outputvoltage resulting from the unbalanced Wheatstone bridge 5 also actuatesa recorder pen or stylus 32 which draws the chart on record card 30 in amanner to be described below.

FIG. 3 is a sample of a complete spectrum analysis chart orchromatogram, on record card 30. The card coordinates representing fullamplitude or bridge unbalance and time, 34 and 36 respectively, arefixed and the lengths cannot be physically changed. The scale factor ofamplitude coordinate 34 may be varied to assure full-scale sensitivityof the recorder by adjusting control 38. The sensitivities or ranges canbe selectable, for example, at -1 mv. to 0 l0 mv. in steps of l, 2, 5,l0 mv.

The time coordinate range is adjusted by time control 40 which iscalibrated in minutes. As an example, control 40 can be calibrated from2 to 128 minutes. Thus, any time can be chosen as the required time forpen 32 to traverse the usable time-coordinate length of card 30 andthereby encompassing a large range of possible analysis time. Hence, ifan analysis time takes 128 inches of chart paper 12, assuming therecorder unit continuously runs at a constant rate of 1 inch per minute.By setting control 40 at the 128 mark, recorder 26 will record for 128minutes but the resulting chromatogram will be completely reproducedwithin the time coordinate 36. Thus, it is seen that by proper selectionof the time control 40, maximum expansion or contraction of the timecoordinate to fit the available recording space will occur and theinformation recorded upon the card 30 will utilize the maximum timecoordinate length.

Recorder 26 also has an on-off switch or mode control 42, a pen zeroingcontrol 44, and a servo-gain (damping) control 46 which all performwell-known functions which need not be elaborated herein.

FIGS. 4 and show one exemplary embodiment of circuitry, in block anddetailed form, for carrying out the principles of this invention. Inthis example, a signal from a source, which in this embodiment is theWheatstone bridge 5, shown in FIG. 1, is fed to a signal amplifier 48having a feedback network 50 which controls the gain and stability ofthe amplifier. As seen in FIG. 5, a potentiometer 52 is connected withamplifier 48 to provide for zero adjustment. A variable resistor 54cooperates with feedback network 50, including a fixed resistor 56, toprovide for span adjustment or gain so that the signal amplitude fromamplifier 48 will give a full scale pen drive. As an example, ifamplifier 48 is set to accept a one-half mv. full scale, then the finaloutput will drive the pen full scale in the amplitude coordinate atone-half mv.

The output signal from amplifier 48 feeds either recorder 26 where italone is used or, as in the illustrative application, it

.feeds both recorders 6 and 26 to serve as the input signal for drivingthe recorder pens in the amplitude coordinate which denotes theunbalance of the Wheatstone bridge 5. Recorder 6 is any commonlyavailable standard strip chart recorder and need not be fully describedherein. It is sufficient to say that the strip chart drive mechanism ofthis recorder runs at a con tinuous and constant speed and therebyprovides an effectively limitless time coordinate.

Recorder 26 has two separate circuits, an amplitude or signal servocircuit 58 and a time servo circuit 60 The signal circuit 58 isresponsive to the output signal from amplifier 48. The signal fromamplifier 48 passes through attenuator or resistor 62 to an amplifier64. The signal from amplifier 64 controls a DC motor 66 which drives pen32 in the amplitude coordinate 34 through any known linkage, such asmechanical, and shown here diagrammatically as dotted line 68. Afeedback network 70 comprising a potentiometer 72 and resistor 74between motor 66 and amplifier 64 insures that pen 32 does not traverseoff the card in the amplitude coordinate.

The time servo circuit 60 includes a second DC motor 76 which is linkedto the recorder pen 32 carriage by any known linkage, not shown,indicated by dotted line 78 to drive the pen in the time coordinatedirection so as to cause the pen to scan the card in response to timeaxis signals thereto. The time signals are independently generatedwithin the time circuit 60 and in this exemplary embodiment from a rampgenerator arrangement.

The ramp generator comprises a time attenuator 79 or potentiometer 80and resistor 82, an amplifier 84 and time generation feedback network86. The time signal from amplifier 32 is fed to amplifier 88 which inturn drives motor 76. Feedback circuit 90 comprising potentiometer 92and resistor 94 provides signal feedback for null balancing and combineswith the time feedback network 86 to limit the amount of travel of thepen carriage in the time coordinate axis.

It is seen that the output from amplifier 84 moves in two directions,i.e., to the feedback network 86 and in particular to capacitor 96 andalso to the motor drive amplifier 88. The time it takes capacitor 96 tocharge is dependent on the setting of potentiometer 80 and the voltageapplied to amplifier 84. Thus, when capacitor 96 reaches full charge, itthen in effect shuts off amplifier 84 and there will be no furtheroutput signal to amplifier 88 and the motor 76 will stop. Capacitor 96will remain charged until bypass switch 98 is closed and capacitor 96can discharge around this path. When switch 98 is opened again, the timesignal will again start. Thus it can be said that the time signal is thebackfeed or capacitor charge and, once this circuit is in operation,there is a given amount of charge or charge rate and this will be fedinto the motor drive amplifier for the entire time the time circuit isoperating.

It is possible to run one axis of the recorder without the other. Thesignal circuit 58 can be run along and pen 32 will move up and down onone line because there is no time signal to cause the pen carriage totraverse in the time coordinate. Likewise, if only the time circuit 60is engaged, pen 32 will make a single line along the time coordinate.Circuits 58 and 60 are electrically connected by any means such asswitch 100 so that the two circuits will be connected for synchronousoperation.

There is also provided apparatus diagrammatically shown as 102 forplacing on card 30 keysort search and retrieval data 103 or informationto permit the ready retrieval of individual cards from file collectionsof such cards. The data placed on the card can include such things ascustomer, spectrum or gases found, etc. This data may be placed on thecards as magnetic impressions, code letters, holes in the card, etc.,and the apparatus for placing this data on the cards is readilyavailable and need not be discussed herein.

Apparatus, of a known type, as shown as 104 and responsive to thekeysort search and retrieval data 103 is utilized to retrieve selectivecards from file collections.

In operation of an exemplary application of the method and apparatus ofthis invention, a gas to be analyzed is inserted in the chromatographunit 8 after the proper adjustments have been made thereto with only acarrier gas flowing therethrough. The strip chart recorder 6 continuesto run until it is determined that the unit is satisfactory and a properspectrum or chromatogram is being charted. It can also be determined atthis point the total time it takes to obtain a complete spectrum of thebase being analyzed. The time is set on recorder 26 and the spectrum ischarted on record card 30. The keysort search and retrieval data 103 isplaced on the record card and the card may then be filed. When this cardis wanted at a later date, retrieval apparatus 104 will sort through thefile collection and select the desired card.

Thus, this invention provides a method and apparatus for recordingselected proportionate and prereduction of data on record cards. Throughsimultaneous records when desired this data can correspond to the dateon a continuously running strip chart. Keysort search and retrieval datais placed on the record cards so that they may be filed and laterretrieved for examination.

,that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus.

What we claim is:

1. A recorder for recording graphical data in form forfiling andmechanical retrieval comprising:

means to receive input signals from a source which vary in amplitude inresponse to variations in a factor to be measured, v

means for mounting in recording position a tabulating machine recordcard having predetermined coordinate lengths wherein one coordinaterepresents amplitude and the other coordinate represents time, theavailable recording length being the same for each recording operation;

a stylus for tracing directly on said card a continuous,

directly visible graphical record representing the variations of saidinput signal with time;

first drive means operable in response to said means to receive inputsignals to provide relative movement between said stylus and said cardin the amplitude coordinate direction, said movement beingdirectlyproportional to the amplitude of said input signal,

second drive means operable in response to an independent time signalproviding relative movement between said stylus and said card in thetime coordinate direction wherein the resulting graph depicts inputsignal variations measured with respect to time;

first control means operatively associated with said drive means forinitiating recording at a first boundary of said time coordinate and therecord area of said card;

limit means for automatically terminating recording at a secondrecording boundary a predetermined displacement from said first boundaryand utilizing the full displacement available on said recording area inthat coordinate; and second control means operatively associated withsaid 5 second drive means for manually preselecting the time duration ofrecording between said boundaries, said second control means beingcalibrated in terms of time duration; whereby a time signal representingany time duration may be provided to said second drive means to causethe relative movement in the time coordinate direction to travel thefull predetermined coordinate length during eachrecording operationwhereby a resulting visual record of any time duration may be placed onsaid recording surface to extend throughout the full predetermined timecoordinate length for maximum expansion of the graphical data in thetime coordinate direction during each recording operation.

2. A recorder as set forth in claim 1 further comgrising: an amplifiercircuit connected between sal means to receive input signals and saidfirst drive means; and

adjustment means operatively connected to said amplifier circuitproviding span adjustment of said input signal wherein the signaltransmitted to said first drive means is adjusted whereby the relativemovement between said stylus and said recording surface in the amplitudecoor- .dinate direction will traverse within said recording surfaceamplitude length.

3. A recorder as set forth in claim 1 in which said tabulating .machinerecord card comprises a card dimensional to con- 30 form with cards inuse for machine accounting and similar purposes and further comprisingmeans for placing identification indicia upon said card representativeof the recorder data thereon and thus providing for storage and laterretrieval by machine for examination thereof.

4. A recorder as set forth in claim 1 in which said second control meanscomprises:

a ramp generator providing the time duration of recording between saidboundaries;

said ramp generator comprising a time amplifier,

a time generation feedback circuit connected around said time amplifier,and

a time signal adjustment means.

5. A recorder as set forth in claim 4 in which said time generationfeedback circuit comprises:

5 a feedback capacitor interposed in the circuit around said timeamplifier and in which the capacitor charge time is dependent uponsetting of said time signal adjustment means and the potential appliedto said time amplifier;

said time amplifier output providing its output to both said seconddrive means and said time feedback circuit wherein when said capacitorreaches full charge said time amplifier is turned off whereby no furthersignal is transmitted to said second drive means; and bypass meansaround said capacitor providing a discharge path for said capacitor.

1. A recorder for recording graphical data in form for filing andmechanical retrieval comprising: means to receive input signals from asource which vary in amplitude in response to variations in a factor tobe measured, means for mounting in recording position a tabulatingmachine record card having predetermined coordinate lengths wherein onecoordinate represents amplitude and the other coordinate representstime, the available recording length being the same for each recordingoperation; a stylus for tracing directly on said card a continuous,directly visible graphical record representing the variations of saidinput signal with time; first drive means operable in response to saidmeans to receive input signals to provide relative movement between saidstylus and said card in the amplitude coordinate direction, saidmovement being directly proportional to the amplitude of said inputsignal, second drive means operable in response to an independent timesignal providing relative movement between said stylus and said card inthe time coordinate direction wherein the resulting graph depicts inputsignal variations measured with respect to time; first control meansoperatively associated with said drive means for initiating recording ata first boundary of said time coordinate and the record area of saidcard; limit means for automatically terminating recording at a secondrecording boundary a predetermined displacement from said first boundaryand utilizing the full displacement available on said recording area inthat coordinate; and second control means operatively associated withsaid second drive means for manually preselecting the time duration ofrecording between said boundaries, said second control means beingcalibrated in terms of time duration; whereby a time signal representingany time duration may be provided to said second drive means to causethe relative movement in the time coordinate direction to travel thefull predetermined coordinate length during each recording operationwhereby a resulting visual record of any time duration may be placed onsaid recording surface to extend throughout the full predetermined timecoordinate length for maximum expansion of the graphical data in thetime coordinate direction during each recording operation.
 2. A recorderas set forth in claim 1 further comprising: an amplifier circuitconnected between said means to receive input signals and said firstdrive means; and adjustment means operatively connected to saidamplifier circuit providing span adjustment of said input signal whereinthe signal transmitted to said first drive means is adjusted whereby therelative movement between said stylus and said recording surface in theamplitude coordinate direction will traverse within said recordingsurface amplitude length.
 3. A recorder as set forth in claim 1 in whichsaid tabulating machine record card comprises a card dimensional toconform with cards in use for machine accounting and similar purposesand further comprising means for placing identification indicia uponsaid card representative of the recorder data thereon and thus providingfor storage and later retrieval by machine for examination thereof.
 4. Arecorder as set forth in claim 1 in which said second control meanscomprises: a ramp generator providing the time duration of recordingbetween said boundaries; said ramp generator comprising a timeamplifier, a time generation feedback circuit connected around said timeamplifier, and a time signal adjustment means.
 5. A recorder as setforth in claim 4 in which said time generation feedback circuitcomprises: a feedback capacitor interposed in the circuit around saidtime amplifier and in which the capacitor charge time is dependent uponsetting of said time signal adjustment means and the potential appliedto said time amplifier; said time amplifier output providing its outputto both said second drive means and said time feedback circuit whereinwhen said capacitor reaches full charge said time amplifier is turnedoff whereby no further signal is transmitted to said second drive means;and bypass means around said capacitor providing a discharge path forsaid capacitor.